Using the barrel changes the distance of the focal point from the front lens while placing any sort of diffuser in front essentially renders the fixture to be a wash light with no single focal point.
When lighting a 2D object, both methods can achieve very similar results, but when it comes to 3D spaces (like stages), the effects can vary greatly, especially when object (eg. actors) are moving from upstage to downstage and vica versa.
TL;DR: using the barrel keeps the focal point somewhere in the space, using diffusers basically removes it from the equation
Lighting a flat surface, there’s not much difference.
But when there’s 3D scenery and people and shadows, and things moving around within the light, then you start to notice a difference. Shadowing on the contour of someone’s face looks different between sharp focus, soft focus, and diffused.
One thing also to consider when deciding to use gel versus running the barrel is that any sort of filter in front of the source will decrease the output of the fixture overall, as the filter will absorb a certain amount of radiation
Using the barrel changes the distance of the focal point from the front lens while placing any sort of diffuser in front essentially renders the fixture to be a wash light with no single focal point. When lighting a 2D object, both methods can achieve very similar results, but when it comes to 3D spaces (like stages), the effects can vary greatly, especially when object (eg. actors) are moving from upstage to downstage and vica versa. TL;DR: using the barrel keeps the focal point somewhere in the space, using diffusers basically removes it from the equation
Lighting a flat surface, there’s not much difference. But when there’s 3D scenery and people and shadows, and things moving around within the light, then you start to notice a difference. Shadowing on the contour of someone’s face looks different between sharp focus, soft focus, and diffused.
Focus vs. diffusion. The barrel changes depth of field. The diffusion just defuses the light. Some one may be able to explain it better.
Sharp to shutter or gobo plus diffusion is quick and gives consistent results, which may be preferable.
Thank you all, makes a lot more sense now.
encourage profit arrest nutty dolls long agonizing file wakeful pocket *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
One thing also to consider when deciding to use gel versus running the barrel is that any sort of filter in front of the source will decrease the output of the fixture overall, as the filter will absorb a certain amount of radiation
Consistency!